Her cheeks, as peachy as the fruit itself, were flushed. She seemed to have enjoyed her time with Adelia.

But Lucian’s gaze went not to Ariana but to Adelia. He took in the sight of her rising from her seat and giving a light greeting out of courtesy. At the same time, he stroked Ariana’s fluffy hair so she wouldn’t feel left out.

Somehow his complicated thoughts disappeared. His mind became peaceful and idle thoughts vanished.

Only after Adelia’s slightly bowed head straightened did Lucian’s gaze reach Ariana.

“I just happened to drop by while passing.”

“Really? Then would Brother like to join us for tea? The peaches are sweet and delicious!”

Though Ariana clearly knew Lucian’s gaze had reached her belatedly, she smiled brightly and took his hand, leading him into the room.

Far from feeling hurt, she slightly bowed her head and wore a sly smile.

‘I’m Cupid! I’ll connect Sister and Brother!’

Ariana led Lucian to the table while reaffirming her determination. Lucian followed her obediently.

The tea table, changed for summer, was a round table. With the three of them seated around it, they naturally became next to each other.

Lucian put the documents inside his clothes and sat down.

“Try this tart. Though the peaches are quite sweet, we reduced the sugar in the tart so it should suit your taste.”

Adelia pushed a slice of tart in front of Lucian.

It was an appetizing tart with well-ripened peaches cut into dice shapes placed on top of a savory pie.

Lucian picked up his fork and put a small piece in his mouth. As Adelia said, it wasn’t too sweet so it was palatable. The sweet peach entering his mouth while his head was complicated made him feel somewhat better.

“But isn’t this a busy time for you, Brother?”

Ariana asked, tilting her head. Their tea time had become fixed at this hour because this was when the three princes were busiest.

It was the time when the Emperor and Lucian would be handling state affairs, and Lawrence would be training or attending classes.

So Adelia and Ariana could spend time alone without anyone’s interruption during this hour.

“Father said to take a break from other work until I finish what he assigned.”

“What work?”

When Ariana asked, Lucian silently turned his head to look at Adelia.

Since she happened to be taking a sip of black tea then, Adelia didn’t notice his gaze.

When the teacup lowered, Lucian’s gaze naturally dispersed.

“Documents your sister gave to Father. They contain noble corruption, and I’m to review and announce them.”

“Your Highness took charge of that?”

“Yes, Father just handed it to me earlier.”

“Please take care of it well. That’s the beginning of my revenge. Can you announce it before the founding festival?”

“Since you organized everything so well, it should be finished quickly.”

Their conversation was ordinary.

Neither of them seemed to show any regret, but they were both masters of maintaining a poker face.

Their true feelings never showed on the surface.

‘This is bad…… Brother needs to hold onto Sister.’

Only Ariana was anxious in between them.

She couldn’t understand why their father had given this task to his brother, nor why her brother said he would finish the work quickly.

‘How frustrating! When will Brother ever meet someone this good again to act like this!’

Ariana suppressed her urge to pound her chest and instead swung her legs back and forth.

Unaware of what was happening under the table, Lucian and Adelia each drank their tea and ate their tart.

Then Ariana picked up her fork and stabbed the remaining piece of tart, popping it whole into her mouth.

When the quite large piece entered her mouth, her cheeks puffed up large like a squirrel storing food.

“Your Highness, please eat slowly.”

“But ish sho delishush.”

Ariana spoke while munching on the tart. Finding her muffled pronunciation and puffy cheeks adorable, Adelia wiped the crumbs around the princess’s mouth with a handkerchief.

“My tomboy princess. If you find the tart so delicious, you can have one more piece specially today.”

“Really, really?”

“Yes, since it has lots of fruit and is less sweet than usual, especially just for today.”

“Sister is the best!”

“Then I’ll call a maid……”

“No! I want to go to the kitchen and choose myself!”

Ariana raised her hand high and spoke before Adelia could finish.

Her eyes sparkled with life at the good idea.

The desserts were made in the main palace and delivered here. Since the main palace was some distance away, it was a good opportunity to leave the two alone.

Since this was the princess’s palace and Adelia had no work to do, they would have to talk.

Wouldn’t it be better to at least have a conversation than just sitting there doing nothing.

When Ariana jumped up from her seat, Adelia hurriedly grabbed her.

“The desserts come from the main palace. It will take time since it’s quite far.”

“I still want to go. I want to eat them all but can only have one. I want to see and choose.”

“Then shall we go together?”

“No! I can go alone!”

When Adelia tried to stand up, Ariana shook her head violently.

Her reaction was so intense that she even used both hands, causing Adelia, who had been adjusting her skirt to stand up, to freeze in place.

“I’ll go choose for Sister and Brother too.”

“Alright then. We’ll wait.”

Since she wasn’t going to do anything bad, and Ariana wanted to go so much, Adelia nodded and sat down.

“Be careful.”

“Yes! I’ll be right back. You must! You must wait here!”

Once Lucian gave permission too, Ariana rushed out.

“She usually hates moving except for walks, how strange.”

“Indeed, it is.”

They both spoke while looking at the door Ariana had rushed out of.

It was unexpected behavior from Ariana, who often enjoyed walks but disliked other forms of activity.

The room was quiet after Ariana left. Usually, Adelia would lead the conversation, but she just quietly kept her seat.

‘Since I’m leaving soon anyway.’

If things progressed quickly, she might leave this place before the year ended. She was reducing contact with Lucian to help cut ties.

Meeting today was unexpected though.

Adelia drank her black tea that was needlessly showing its bottom while waiting for Ariana to return quickly.

“May I ask one thing?”

Lucian suddenly spoke up.

Since he rarely asked questions first, Adelia put down her teacup.

“If it’s something I can answer.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“About your plans.”

Lucian wanted to resolve the emotion knotted in his heart. It felt so stifling that he thought even food wouldn’t go down if he left it like this.

So he asked the question. When he heard from the Emperor that Adelia was starting her revenge, the first emotion he felt was similar to feeling hurt.

Why did she tell the Emperor first instead of him? When he had that thought, the feeling resembled the empty sensation of being hurt.

“You made a contract with me, not Father. So shouldn’t you be telling me about your matters first?”

Lucian’s tone as he asked sounded somewhat urgent and angry.

Not even knowing his own emotions, his words came out strongly due to his frustrated heart. But to Adelia who knew nothing, his furrowed brow and raised tone were grating.

Adelia’s face darkened at his words that seemed to be either scolding or blaming her.

“I don’t understand the intention behind such a question. Though Your Highness is in charge of this matter, His Majesty has the final authority. I naturally spoke to His Majesty first.”

“You should have at least discussed it with me.”

“Why should I? This is my business.”

Adelia drew a clear line.

My business.

She wasn’t wrong. Adelia’s revenge was based on personal grudges, so it was indeed her business. It wasn’t something for Lucian, a third party, to comment on.

Knowing this, Lucian couldn’t say anything more. But his insides still boiled and the empty feeling remained.

Feeling like he might say something wrong if he continued the conversation, he cut it off.

“I apologize. I spoke out of turn.”

Lucian let out a low sigh.

The more he tried to untangle things, the more tangled they became.

Far from resolving the knot in his heart, guilt was added in, making his already troubled mind even more uncomfortable.

The questions remained unresolved, and both his head and heart grew increasingly complicated.

Lucian couldn’t sit there properly anymore. He didn’t want to show his anxious and worried appearance.

Lucian stood up abruptly from his seat.

“Please tell Ariana I left first.”

“Wait……”

Before Adelia could stop him, Lucian had already left the room. His steps were so quick that though Adelia reached out hurriedly, she couldn’t reach him.

Adelia looked at the door he left through with a puzzled expression.

“Was he just a bit upset? Did I look unwell today?”

Adelia rubbed her face. She felt she had been the same as usual.

Unable to understand why Lucian had asked such a question or why he was being so sensitive, Adelia shrugged and kept her seat.

When Ariana returned much later, she opened her eyes wide seeing Adelia alone.

“Where’s Brother?”

“He left earlier, seems he had urgent business.”

“What?”

Upon hearing that Lucian had left first, Ariana stomped her feet.

‘Brother is such an idiot who can’t eat even when he’s being spoon-fed!’